Birthday Ride 5th November 2023

Cycling UK Louth Sunday Ride to Landmark Café 5th November 2023:

A welcome return visit to the Landmark Café and its fine views over the edge of the Wolds and an opportune time for a ‘social gathering’ and club cup presentation.

Following a particularly wet and windy night, residual showers were forecast to clear by 10 am and remarkably that was the case. A blustery north-westerly wind would however take a while to abate.

Meeting up with Birthday Boy and Ride Leader Tim Newbery (reaching his 66th today and officially becoming an OAP) at the Meridian Leisure Centre were Rob Cook, John Rickett, Steve Croton and Paul Linder. John and Celia Ambler, Barry and Jim had indicated that they’d meet up with us at the Landmark Café at 11.30 am.

Our outbound route would take us through the Covenham’s and Fulstow to the turning at Grainsby Holme. Heading westbound we’d make our way through Bowlings Park to Waithe and then the climb up to Barton Street past Ashby Cum Fenby along the Thoroughfare. With Tim still recovering for his cold, it was quite a push into the headwind, although the lanes lying on the boundary of the Lincolnshire Wolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty are particularly attractive and made the effort worthwhile. 

Arriving at the Landmark Café at 11.28 am, two minutes ahead of schedule, we were ushered to our table where we’d find John and Celia and Jim and Barry already seated and engaged in conversation. Great to have had everyone’s company.

Food was speedily served and everyone’s drinks eventually arrived. Tim had promised to make his speech short (hopefully that was the case) and the John Ambler Cycling UK Louth Cup was awarded to John Weeks (in his absence). There’s never been a Cycling UK / CTC group based in Horncastle and John has attended nearly a dozen of our rides this year, cycling all the way from home. Kudos to John for enjoying our unique camaraderie and a well-deserved recipient.

Unbeknown to today’s Ride Leader, Cycling UK Louth members also gave a presentation to Tim. Primarily as it was his 66th Birthday and he’s now officially an ‘OAP’, looking forward to his ‘Senior Person’s’ Bus Pass. November also sees Tim celebrate 36 years cycling with the Louth group and 30 years as Louth’s secretary. The card and gifts were quite a surprise and Tim was genuinely taken aback by the very kind gesture. Many thanks all. Much appreciated.

Our return journey through Petterhills, Wold Newton and North Elkington was made pleasurable as the much-promised sunshine did eventually break though the cloud cover. With temperatures rising to 11 Degrees, it actually felt warm.

Arrived back in Louth at 2.30 pm having covered about 57 km. Many thanks to Paul for supplying Tim with an extra-large slice of lemon cake.